See how much of your work income counts for the pension income test once the Work Bonus and your Work Bonus balance are applied, fortnight by fortnight.
Key facts
- The Work Bonus lets pensioners over Age Pension age earn $300 a fortnight from work without it counting in the pension income test.
- If you earn less than $300 in a fortnight, or don't work, the unused amount is added to your Work Bonus balance, up to $11,800.
- Your balance then covers work income above $300 in later fortnights, so a full balance lets you earn extra without reducing your pension until it runs out.
- It applies to employment and self-employment income, not to investment income or super. You don't apply: Services Australia applies it when you report your income.
- Work income left after the Work Bonus counts with your other income; for a single pensioner, the pension falls by 50 cents for each $1 of income over $226 a fortnight.
How long a full $11,800 balance lasts
| Work income a fortnight | Comes off the balance each fortnight | A full balance lasts |
|---|---|---|
| $400 | $100 | 118 fortnights |
| $500 | $200 | 59 fortnights |
| $750 | $450 | 27 fortnights |
| $1,000 | $700 | 17 fortnights |
| $1,500 | $1,200 | 10 fortnights |
| $2,000 | $1,700 | 7 fortnights |
Examples from Services Australia
Doug earns $400 a fortnight: the Work Bonus covers $300, and his balance covers the other $100, so none of it counts if he has a balance. Nala earns $200 a fortnight: none of it counts, and the unused $100 is added to her balance.
Common questions
How much can I earn on the Age Pension with the Work Bonus?
$300 a fortnight from work isn't counted. A single pensioner can also have $226 a fortnight of other income before the pension reduces, and a built-up balance of up to $11,800 covers extra work income on top.
How does the Work Bonus balance build up?
Each fortnight you earn less than $300 from work (including fortnights you don't work at all), the unused part is added to your balance, up to $11,800. Starting from zero, it takes 40 fortnights without work to reach the maximum.
How long does a full Work Bonus balance last?
It depends on how much you earn over $300. At $800 a fortnight, $500 a fortnight comes off the balance, so $11,800 lasts 24 fortnights; in the calculator's example, $0 of 13 fortnights' work income ends up counted.
Who gets the Work Bonus?
People over Age Pension age who get the Age Pension or another income-tested pension such as Carer Payment or the Disability Support Pension, and some veterans' pensions. A partner over pension age has their own Work Bonus.
Does the Work Bonus apply to self-employment?
Yes, to income from self-employment and employment. It doesn't apply to income from investments, rental property or super.
See also the Age Pension calculator, the Age Pension rates and the Carer Payment rates.
Sources: Services Australia Work Bonus and how a Work Bonus works. Checked 21 October 2026. The pension reduction assumes a single pensioner with no other income; the Age Pension calculator handles other income and assets.